Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

 

Fans of the long-running game Dungeons & Dragons have certainly had to wait quite a while for a decent adaptation. Not surprising, seeing how the lore is more than expansive and there are so many options, rules and characters to contend with. The prospect always seemed rather daunting. Sure, there was the animated series in the 80s, but that had little to do with the game as such (still cool though). And then we had the "Jeremy Irons hams it up to the stratosphere" movie that was quite horrendous yet enjoyable with friends and copious amounts of alcohol. Suffise to say: D&D enthusiasts and lovers didn't get what they deserved.

Until now, because this film is nothing short of a glorious ode to the game and as an adventure fantasy for the non-initiated it works just as well. 

No really: it is so enjoyable and fun, it is almost criminal. Criminally underrated? Probably.

In a far-flung fantasy realm, we are introduced to our leads, Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez. He is a former Harper (akin to an officer of the realm) who has turned to crime since the death of his wife and she is a barbarian who was cast out of her clan because she fell in love with the wrong man (as in: someone from outside of the tribe). yet they work well together and got into a pickle as they wanted to steal an item with which to resurrect the dead wife, but betrayal was part of the plot when a female wizard intervened. Also double-crossing by one of their companions (a gleefully hammy Hugh Grant, who is clearly enjoying himself a little too much).

Now they escape and the original plan is still on the backbench, but they need a party to get things done. So with some shenanigans they enlist a failing wizard and a really cool yet aloof changeling and it's off to adventure! 

Not spoiling the quests here, because that would be both silly, stupid and a little pointless as it is the banter and encounters that make up most of the story, just like the game. 

Who would have thought a film about a game could actually seemlessly incorporate so many elements of the game without it feeling too forced? Go figure.

Just what the quest is, doesn't really matter all that much. Monsters are encountered and slain, dialogue is either willfully cheesy or overtly difficult and then undercut by well timed jokes and everything feels vibrant and alive. The actors are all wonderful in their respective roles. Chris Pine is such a great leading man with a penchant for comedy. His timing is impeccable. Michelle Rodriguez is great as the muscle of the group and she also has some really funny moments. And even the secondary characters are fine to good. Just the evildoer (a Scarlet Witch named Sofina) is a bit bland, but this is more because the rest of the cast is so stuffed she doesn't get a lot to do except look menacing and scream. 

By the way: the scene where they poke fun at the sometimes convoluted rules of the game itself is sidesplittingly hilarious. Also: chubby dragons for the win!

This is simply a well-made and highly entertaining adventure that will leave fans of the game satisfied and non-fans just as entertained. Surprising? Yes. Satisfying? Hell to the yes. Excellent dice roll for initiative and enjoyment!